India’s sustainability discourse is entering a new phase, with regulation-led accountability replacing aspirational green storytelling, according to a year-end report by LS Digital.
From claims to data-backed outcomes
The report highlights a growing trust deficit, with fewer than a third of consumers confident in corporate sustainability claims. This shift is pushing companies to prioritise verifiable data, third-party validation and transparent reporting over broad environmental promises.
Regulation accelerates climate policy alignment
A major driver of change is regulatory momentum. Frameworks such as SEBI’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting have transformed sustainability from a voluntary initiative into a compliance-led business requirement, aligning India’s climate policy with global ESG standards.
Digital intelligence mapping ESG trends
The analysis is based on LS Digital’s AI-led Quilt methodology, which tracks ESG themes across search, social media and public web data. Findings show regulation dominating news coverage, while operational innovation and community participation lead action-oriented social conversations.
Circular economy and operational metrics gain focus
Corporate credibility is increasingly linked to measurable operational improvements, including waste-to-value models, packaging innovation and circular economy adoption. Brands demonstrating quantified reductions in emissions and material use are gaining stronger stakeholder trust.
Community participation and cultural Context
The report also underscores the role of community-led action, digital activism and culturally resonant sustainability narratives. Aligning ESG practices with local traditions is seen as critical for wider adoption, particularly at the awareness stage.
A two-speed sustainability ecosystem
While large corporates are advancing with robust ESG systems, MSMEs face resource and reporting challenges. Cross-sector partnerships and collaborative models are emerging as key solutions to scale renewable energy adoption and circular economy practices.
The report concludes that India’s next sustainability phase will depend on partnerships, digital transparency and measurable impact, positioning renewable energy and the circular economy as central pillars of future climate policy.
